Royal Wolverhampton School

WOLVERHAMPTON

SO99NW PENN ROAD 895-1/5/365 (East side) 03/02/77 Royal Wolverhampton School

GV II

Orphanage, now school. 1853, by Joseph Manning; extensions of 1863, Headmaster's residence, 1885, and dormitory wing, c1900. Brick with blue brick diapering and ashlar dressings; slate roof with brick stacks. Elizabethan style. 2 storeys; symmetrical 9-window range with gabled end wings. Top cornice with panels of blind balustrading; shaped gables with finials; quoins. Double-chamfered-mullioned and transomed windows mostly of 2 lights; 2-storey bay windows of 4 lights under the gables. Central 4-stage tower has entrance with 4-centred head and paired doors, Royal Arms above between lozenges; 2 statues of charity children on plinths flank 2-storey canted oriel of 1:2:1 lights with top balustrading; 3-light window above; top clock faces and shaped gables with angle finials; recessed swept spirelet; black letter inscriptions over entrance and bay windows of centre range. Later flanking 4-window ranges with end gables; later 4-window range to left end and 2-window attached Headmaster's residence to right end; 2 rear wings flank projecting hall; long dormitory wing projects to rear right. Headmaster's residence is similar; shaped gable to right. Returns and rear wings have similar details; hall windows and some others have original decorative glazing. INTERIOR: hall with hammer-beam roof, canted apse and gallery with contemporary organ; Gothic style fireplace; some flashed and etched glass lozenges to windows to right; stairs to flanking wings have enriched iron balusters and square newels with finials. The building was opened as the Wolverhampton Orphan Asylum by J.Lees, the founder. (The Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Staffordshire: London: 1974-: P.323).

Listing NGR: SO9073397146